Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Jul 26: The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has decided to hold a meeting to revise the property tax to reduce the burden on the public from the self-declared property tax currently implemented within MCC limits. The proposal will be sent to the state government.

This decision was taken in the general meeting held on Thursday, presided over by Mayor Sudhir Shetty Kannur.

During the detailed discussion in the June general body meeting, Chief whip Premananda Shetty presented the model index regarding tax revision.

Reacting to the decision, A C Vinayaraj of Congress stated that the decision was taken due to the demand of opposition parties and should be implemented immediately. Opposition leader Praveen Chandra Alva also urged for a prompt reduction in property tax.

Chief Whip Premananda Shetty mentioned that as per the suggestion of MLA Dr. Y Bharat Shetty in the last meeting, it was decided to revise the tax based on the present index. The tax list will be finalized in the presence of ruling and opposition party members and sent to the government.

Currently, revised market values are implemented within MCC limits from October 1, 2023. Action is being taken to collect taxes for 2024-25 based on the value fixed as per the 2021 amendment rule of market rates. Premananda Shetty stated that from 2023-24, property tax is collected online, with 1,23,080 owners having paid Rs 71.01 crore in property tax for 2024-25.

In other matters, Abdul Ravoof highlighted issues with private city buses operating to Bajal, Faisal Nagara, and Veera Nagara, causing a nuisance. He requested another KSRTC bus service. Mayor Sudhir Shetty Kannur directed officials to take action. RTO Sridhar Mallad confirmed that they have already received requests for another bus and that discussions between KSRTC and private bus owners are ongoing.

Opposition leader Praveen Chandra Alva urged the MCC to provide compensation from the emergency fund to people whose house retaining walls are collapsing. The Mayor suggested compiling a list to send to the state government, but Alva pressed for immediate compensation from MCC.

Some MCC members expressed their anger over preparations at Hindu crematorium grounds in Surathkal for parking waste collection vehicles. Sarita and Corporator Shwetha Poojary opposed turning the crematorium into a waste shed, threatening to protest if the attempt continued. Corporators Lokesh Bollaje and Kiran Kumar also spoke against the idea.

Commissioner Ananda C L explained the difficulty in parking all waste collection vehicles in one place, leading to parking in Pumpwell, Pandeshwar, and Surathkal areas. He noted that 25 jeep tippers are planned to be parked at the Hindu crematorium grounds with security and that the matter has been brought to the notice of the local MLA.